FCM to offer new rideshare service

FCM has partnered with Get Picked Up Australia to offer a new ridesharing service – GPU Ride – to rival Uber's popular Uber Black and Uber X.

A pilot for the service will commence in New South Wales. Service availability will expand into other states and territories in the near future, with an "on-demand" mobile booking application slated for the second quarter of 2016.

FCM's General Manager for Australia, James Kavanagh said the product would be very appealing to business travellers who enjoy the flexibility of ridesharing and also the reliability of a door-to-door transfer that can be booked in advance.

"With Uber services, they can only be booked at the moment you are ready to travel. With GPU ride you make the booking in advance which is convenient for early morning flights and offers peace of mind that your ride will be ready for you when you need to leave," he said.

GPU Ride offers point to point services in NSW, with pricing to be comparable to taxi and other ridesharing fares currently available. GPU Ride have a special offer for transfers with flat fares of 35 AUD from Sydney CBD to both the Domestic and International airport terminals.

"Customers of FCM will enjoy the convenience of being able to book their GPU Ride transfer through their corporate travel consultant at the same time they book their air and hotel," James said.

GPU Ride will be offered in other states and territories of Australia when legislation for ridesharing allows services to operate legally in those states.

Summary of GPU Ride Service

Vehicle drivers are subject to the same rigorous scrutiny as all GPU drivers

Licensing, registration and insurance are required of all drivers

Drivers are subject to continuous customer appraisal and performance review

Bookings need to be made minimum four hours in advance currently with plans for an on-demand app in the coming months